The face of the medal portrays an embossed bust of Theodore Roosevelt, who was historic in the creation of the Navy League of the United States. Beneath the bust is:

THEODORE ROOSEVELT - 1902

1902 was the year of the creation of the US Navy League. Though it is solely a civilian organization, councils all around the Union award these medals to sponsored Naval Sea Cadet units' cadets who perform above others. Here is the regulation for awarding the medal, as taken from USNSCC Regulations.

" This award sponsored by the Navy League of the United States enables sponsoring councils to annually recognize excellence on the part of young people participating in NSCC and NLCC programs. It serves to emphasize the importance placed on education and training of American youth and recognizes the importance of NSCC and NLCC as NLUS youth programs in attaining established goals and objectives. The NLUS Youth Medal and ribbon with a 5/16" inch silver star affixed to the center of the ribbon may be awarded annually to the unit NSCC Cadet of the Year, as nominated by the sponsored unit's Commanding Officer. The above award is based on the inspection year (calendar year) and shall be awarded at the end of the school year."